Nilathingal Thundam Perumal
Temple, Kanchipuram – Religious Significance, Religious Practices &
Festivals
Religious
Significance:
Divyadesams:
The
temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham,
the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai
Azhwar in one hymn. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu
temples that are mentioned in the book. In a verse referring
to Kachi Oorakam and Tiruvekkaa (both in Kanchipuram) Thirumangai
Azhwar refers to Neeragam, Nilathingal Thundam, Kaaragam , Kaarvaanam and Kalvanur. Nilathingal Thundam is a shrine in
the Kanchi Ekambareswarar Temple, Neeragam,
Kaaragam
and Kaarvaanam
are shrines in the Ulagalantha Perumal Temple (Oorakam). Kalvanoor
is the name of the shrine to Vishnu (Aadi Varaha Perumal) in the Kanchi
Kamakshi Amman Temple.
Saivite Priests:
The temple is one of the two rare Divyadesams, with the other being Govindaraja Perumal Temple,
that are housed in a Shiva temple. Only Saivite priests perform rituals in the
temple.
Religious
Practices:
The
temple priests perform the pooja (rituals)
during festivals and on a daily basis. Being inside the premises of a Shiva
temple, the priests belong to the Saivite community. The
temple rituals are performed six times a day: Ushathkalam at 7
a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at
6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha
Jamam at 10:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration),
naivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps)
for both Nilathingal Thundam Perumal. During the last step of worship, Nadaswaram (pipe
instrument) and tavil (percussion
instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred
text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of
the temple mast.
Festivals:
There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals
performed in the
temple. Lord bearing the light of moon, every Poornima day – full
moon day is a festival day in the temple. Purattasi Saturdays of
September-October and 10 days Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January are other
festivals observed in the temple.